Barbados stuns Bahamas in enthralling final

Marigot, St. Martin,  August 11, 2013 - Barbados turned the tables on Bahamas and stunned them in a thrilling finals that went to four sets (25-15,22-25 25- 17 and 25-23). Hence at the end of the FIVB Men's World Championship qualifier Group I, Barbados won and advanced to the next round in 2014.

Barbados outscored Bahamas in Spikes 50-47  and in Service points 6-4 whereas Bahamas led in blocks 9-7.

Princ Tanique Wilson led as usual for Bahamans with a game high  22 points  and he got assistance from Byron Ferguson with 10. Barbados attack was more widely spread. Fabian Cox had 16 points, Shawn Simpson and 15 and Jabarry Goodridge and Jamaal Nedd contributed 11 and  10 respectively.

After losing in straight sets in the preliminaries it was like sweet revenge for Barbados. Coach of the Barbados team could not hide his elation at accomplishing the feat. "First let me congratulate Bahamas for playing a very entertaining game. As I told you at the onset of the tournament the team that was freshest and  fittest in the finals stood a very good chance at winning. After losing the first game we decided that our main focus would be to serve well and play gritty defense. It is important to note the fact that Bahamas played a 5 setter earlier today and that played into our hands," he beamed.

Coach Raymond Wilson of Bahamas was gracious in defeat."I believe we came across a team that was more prepared, more focused  than  us. Added to that, they committed less errors and  at this level that's a huge factor.  The five setter this morning probably resulted in our sluggish start but Barbados seemed to be more hungry  and had the perfect ingredients for victory," he conceded.